Butts backs Barath to fit right in

published by Media on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 16:57

Gros Islet, St Lucia — Chairman of West Indies Selectors Clyde Butts expects Adrian Barath to “fit right back in” when he joins the West Indies team for the fourth and fifth Digicel One-Day Internationals at Beausejour Stadium. Barath has replaced Kieran Powell in the 13-man squad.

Butts said he was pleased with the team’s commitment and fighting qualities in the first leg of the Digicel Series played at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St Vincent.The Digicel ODI Series is level 1-1 — Australia won the opening match, West Indies rebounded and won the second and the third match ended in a dramatic tie.

Butts said: “We brought in Barath as he has now fully recovered from the finger injury. He played really well in the last Regional 4Day match for Trinidad & Tobago against Guyana. He got a brilliant 114 and we expect him to bring that same form and ability into the squad.

“He batted for a long time for his runs and looked comfortable at the crease. He did not show any signs of discomfort. He has played at this level and done well before, so we expect him to fit right back in and contribute.”

Butt added: “The team did some good things in the first three matches and we are seeing signs of improvement. We are in with a chance of winning the series and we believe the players selected in this squad have the ability to do just that.”

Barath has overcome his recent spell of injuries and gave firm evidence of his fitness with his seventh first-class century last weekend at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

The 21-year-old has played 12 ODIs for West Indies since his debut two years ago. He has made 311 runs with a topscore of 113 against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in January, 2011.

* Cricket fans in the Caribbean and across the world can now make online purchases of tickets for the Digicel Series – West Indies vs Australia. Fans can log on to www.windiescricket.com to submit their purchase orders and make payment via credit card.